History of Canoeing

Canoeing is a sport that can be enjoyed by anyone in many different ways.
It might be a quiet paddle on a remote lake while fishing or just enjoying
the scenery. How about loading up with a months worth of supplies and
heading off to the interior of Labrador? Or maybe (like me) you enjoy
rocketing down a river at seventy strokes per minute in a marathon. Whatever
your style you will need three basic items. A paddle, a canoe, and a body
of water (most of the time). On a monthly basis I will be writing articles
discussing many topics related to canoeing. Through these I hope to increase
your knowledge and enjoyment of the sport. If you are not already a canoeist,
hopefully I can spur a little interest within you for a great form of
recreation.

As I sit here in my living room staring at a Frederick Remington print
of a birch bark canoe crossing a large windswept lake, it seems only appropriate
to begin with a brief history of canoeing. Although birch bark canoes
were not the first ever constructed, they are un-arguably the grandfather
of the modern day canoe in North America. The first were in all likelihood,
a dugout style carved out of a single log, usually cedar because of its
easy workability and natural resistance to decay. The next were some very
crude framed skin and bark hulls that led into the birch bark canoes built
by the Indians of the Northeast. Developed and refined over many centuries,
these native North Americans created a very versatile, functional craft,
so much so that the basic design has never really changed. It is also
interesting to note that even though the materials used to build these
canoes were readily available on other parts of the continent and throughout
the world and no one else put them to use. To the natives, the canoe was
an essential part of their way of life, just as the horse was to the Indians
of the plains. In both cases it was an efficient way for them to travel
throughout the territory they inhabited. As the European explorers moved
north, they too soon realized the value of this unique craft. They quickly
adopted it for their own use in travel and exploration.

In the mid to late 1800's as more and more people traveled to the
Northeast for work and sport, the demand for canoes grew. Somewhere in
this time frame the wood canvas canoe was born in Maine along with its
Canadian counterpart- the all wood Peterborough canoe. These canoes, although
fashioned after the birch bark designs, used all wood or wood canvas construction.
This was due partly to the availability of materials and also because
it produced a more durable canoe. From the turn of the century up to World
War II the canoe industry flourished. Its heyday being in the early 20's.
At this point in time the industry was supplying two very different markets.
One being the functional, working canoes used by guides, trappers, and
sportsman up in the north, the other was purely recreational requiring
a bit fancier canoe, one that put style ahead of performance. These canoes
were much more ornate with long curved decks. They had wider beams and
sponsons for stability. The in thing of the day here was to spend Sunday
afternoon with your lady paddling and socializing up and down the river.

Many, many canoes were built during this period and many backyard shops
grew into large factories. Some of the more well known manufacturers of
the day were Old Town, E.M. White, Chestnut, and Peterborough.

With World War II over and having less demand for its aircraft,
Grumman Aircraft Corporation experimented with some aluminum canoes. The
experiment proved to be successful as they caught on and their popularity
grew rapidly. It was not long before they dominated the market. In the
50's fiberglass was introduced. As techniques for construction improved,
it to took a big share of the canoe market.

Today there are many styles and shapes of canoes available made with
a variety of materials from wood to carbon fiber. In the months ahead
we will address these topics and many more. Until then, Happy Paddling!

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We specialize in ultralight solutions and offer expertise in canoes, kayaks, and Hornbeck boats, and all the related equipment. Our favorites are Wenonah canoes and Hornbeck boats. Although we also work with traditional-material boats, we like to get folks set up with lightweight canoes and kayaks so you can dedicate your time to the joy of being out on the lakes and rivers instead of struggling to move your boat between car and water.

Scott Edwards, "Hemlock Pete" himself, offers you decades of paddling expertise. He is friendly, down-to-earth, and provides superior customer service. You won't find a better, or more pleasant, deal elsewhere.